INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT
Item 4. Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant
(a) On January 8, 1998, upon the recommendation of the
Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Board") of
Edison Brothers Stores, Inc. ("Edison"), the Board selected
Arthur Andersen LLP ("Arthur Andersen") to serve as
independent public accountants of Edison and its
subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending January 31, 1998.
Ernst & Young LLP ("Ernst & Young") was dismissed as
auditors of Edison effective January 8, 1998. The reports
of Ernst & Young on Edison's consolidated financial
statements for each of the two years in the period ended
February 1, 1997 contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer
of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to
uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principle, other
than as to Edison's ability to continue as a going concern
and a change in its method of accounting for the impairment
of long-lived assets and for long-lived assets to be
disposed of as disclosed in the notes to the consolidated
financial statements.
During Edison's two fiscal years ended February 1, 1997
and the subsequent interim period through January 8, 1998,
there were no disagreements ("Disagreements"), as defined in
Item 304(a)(1)(iv) and the Instructions to Item 304 of
Regulation S-K promulgated pursuant to the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, between Edison and Ernst &
Young on any matter of accounting principles or practices,
financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or
procedure, which Disagreements if not resolved to Ernst &
Young's satisfaction would have caused Ernst & Young to make
reference thereto in connection with its report.
Ernst & Young has furnished a letter addressed to the
Commission stating whether it agrees with the above
statements. A copy of such letter is filed as an exhibit to
this report.
(b) On January 8, 1998, Edison engaged Arthur Andersen
as independent public accountants for Edison and its
subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended January 31, 1998. At
no time prior to January 8, 1998 did Edison consult Arthur
Andersen regarding the application of accounting principles
to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or
the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on Edison's
financial statements.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(c) Exhibits
16.1 Letter dated January 14, 1998, from Ernst & Young
LLP to the Securities and Exchange Commission
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly
authorized.
EDISON BROTHERS STORES, INC.
By/s/Alan A. Sachs
Executive Vice President
General Counsel and Secretary
January 14, 1998
Exhibit 16.1
January 14, 1998
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Gentlemen:
We have read Item 4 of Form 8-K dated January 8, 1998 of
Edison Brothers Stores, Inc. and are in agreement with the
statements on page two thereof contained in paragraphs two
and three. We have no basis to agree or disagree with other
statements of the registrant contained therein.
Very truly yours,
/s/Ernst & Young LLP
